Oakland Athletics: A Team on the Rise

I was going to start this effort with a tribute to the Athletics and their outstanding, and rather surprising, early-season antics to stay atop the AL West, and stave off the Angels of Anaheim or Los Angeles or wherever.

Unfortunately, this rather light-hitting A's squad almost got blanked in a three-game sweep in Cleveland.

The Tribe brought lights-out pitching, as they have for the last two weeks, and effectively shut the A's down without much opposition. Don't get me wrong, I am still appreciative of the early-season efforts that the A's have produced. Their goal this season was to rebuild (what's new), and yet be competitive. I believe the organization will accomplish that.

Billy Beane, the A's GM, has massaged and tweaked this roster once again. Much of the roster is first year or relatively inexperienced players, and are enjoying their first 'cup of joe' in the bigs.

Oakland is going through a stint where certain questions pervade.

Kurt Suzuki, lauded for his handling of the pitching staff, has been in a drought at the plate, going 0-23 at the plate as of late. As a backstop, he still handles the starters well.

Mark Ellis, 'Mr. Reliable' at second, is being considered as an IR option, down with a hamstring strain.

Eric Chavez, third-baseman extraordinaire, has still to resume full workout levels, and is not timetabled for a recent return.

Rich Harden, SP, has returned, but had a rough first outing.

Now for some positive factors that have catapulted the A's to a surprising start.

Emil Brown, a free-agent acquisition from the Royals has produced one of the top AL totals with 33 RBI.

Bobby Crosby has stayed healthy, and while he isn't lighting the league on fire at bat, has made some highlight-film plays at SS.

'The Big Hurt' is back and thankful to be here, and appears to be heating up.

Some of the young pitchers acquired in offseason trades have been surprising.

Greg Smith and Dana Eveland have provided a number of quality starts.

The six-man rotation in the back of the bullpen has been, for the most part, stellar.

Santiago Castilla has been lights out, and Huston Street is regaining some prowess in during a save opportunities.

The A's head to Atlanta to face a solid Braves squad.

Let's get those bats lit up.